Gamertell

There’s no doubt that the current economic recession is having an impact on the video game industry. Companies are downsizing, consolidating or closing (which means games are getting delayed or canceled), games stores are cutting back and game-related publications are also feeling the pressure. Of course, a recession cannot last forever and the game industry will thrive and continue to evolve

It’s not clear what the long-term affect this “economic downturn” recession will have on the game industry but a few things might be extrapolated from current trends.

Here are a few predictions of game industry-related results that stem from a mix the current economic recession, corporate tendencies and a bit of fantasy. Fee free to post your suppositions in the comments area below.

Nintendo’s QS

Since DS sales never slowed down, making it the most popular game system across the globe saturating nearly 80% of all households. With the failure of the TS (aka Tri Screen) system, the company tries one more time with the QS, or Quad Screen. The system folds twice, making it about the size of a business card when collapsed. When unfolded, the four screens form a larger, high-definition widescreen touchscreen screen. By 2015 it becomes the most popular portable video player and e-reader.

Madden Real World

Electronic Arts, which bought up most failing game companies by 2010, also bought the NFL as well as floundering foreign football leagues a few years later. Now American football is known worldwide as MRW (“Madden Real World”). The Madden estate makes enough money from the rights and merchandising that it now owns a cruise ship, an island and an amusement park know as MaddenLand (which is, of course, huge in Japan).

Apple’s iGame

After regaining a reputation as a respectable game company thanks to the Apple App Store’s inexpensive development, distribution and per-game cost for buyers, Apple decides it can finally compete with Nintendo’s QS (aka Quad Screen) in 2017 and releases its second generation iGame handheld game system (the first was a feebly rebranded iPod Touch). It’ll be a bit more tricked-out - although still an 8th generation iPod Touch - with a new, rubber-accented case, built-in Bluetooth and stereo speakers. It also features (*gasp*) two low-profile buttons on the side: Pause and Reset. iTunes will also split off its game section (iGames) and the release of the uber easy-to-use iMade-It SDK allows anyone can make a game for the iGame. It’s even taught in first grade in many private schools. The iGame becomes the most popular game system in the world by 2020.

Microsoft Retro

Microsoft, in response to sales lost to Apple’s iPod personal computers and unstoppable viruses and pirating, launches the Microsoft Retro brand along with its Retro Windows operating system. The RetrOS, as it becomes known, is a compilation of every operating system the company has ever made, including all Xbox models. The system runs on any personal computer (and inexpensive 1TB crystal thumb drives) but Microsoft develops a metal-cased Retro PC specifically for the OS. Every Xbox, Windows and DOS computer game ever made is sold at the Microsoft’s iTunes clone called MicroCenter (named for the failing computer stores it bought in 2011) for $1 each.

Sony-Skype gWing

After abandoning the slowly failing PSP name (and all proprietary memory cards), the company partners with Skype (which is super successful due to a 400% increase in all land-based technology, forcing several phone companies to go all wireless and use Skype technology) to create the first mobile IP game phone. The gWing is shaped like an old-school wing controller, except smaller and flatter, with a programmable, illuminated touch pad that doubles as a full keyboard with mini thumbsticks. Sony-Skype is promptly sued by Nokia, which sinks untold fortunes into the legal battles. Nokia, citing the N-Gage as the gWing’s inspiration, eventually loses and is forced shut down. The company’s remnants are bought by Skype. All (now wireless) phone companies soon follow suit with the wing design, realizing it is more ergonomic than a rectangle, making it even easier for teenagers to type.

Kaz

A new game system breaks into the market by 2012 that successfully incorporates downloadable casual games, social network gaming, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and RF-ID tech. Games for the Kaz can be downloaded online but most games are purchased at GameStop kiosks in grocery stores. The system is a temporary success as a game system but really takes off as a grocery shopping aid (for interactive grocery lists, digital coupons and item-in-store locator thanks to RF-ID). It’s also very popular with hackers who find ways to reprogram product RF-IDs and temporarily change product prices and get free drinks from digitized vending machines.

VendiGamez

A Japanese company perfects kiosk distribution by 2015, also giving the Kaz system a temporary boost in sales. Iit also works with several other game devices and portable mini drives. The company eventually buys the GameStop chain, closing 80% of the stores and replacing them with VendiGamez kiosks. Thanks to deals with Amazon, Apple and Microsoft, it becomes the most successful game retailer.